Playing from rough
How to Build a Pre-Round Plan for Playing From Rough
Build a pre-round plan for rough play so the hard choice does not arrive as a surprise.
Ten useful minutes
For rough-shot recovery, before the first tee, match the scorecard to your warm-up and the day’s conditions. For grass-and-spin recovery, mark the holes where patience is worth more than pride. If your contact feels loose, make the first stretch about playable misses; if the swing is sharp, identify the holes where a flyer lie from 165 that needs the safe side of the green might be worth the risk.
Your quick plan
- Circle the holes where rough play can create a big number.
- For rough-shot recovery, pick one conservative default shot for uncomfortable moments.
- For rough-shot recovery, decide what score or match situation changes your risk level.
- For rough-shot recovery, rehearse one calm phrase, such as “normal swing, useful target.”.
By the time the decision arrives, rough play should feel rehearsed rather than improvised.